Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Got a muscle injury that needs healing fast? Avoid this

As we get older, it seems like the number of aches and pains we suffer, or muscles we pull, goes up, along with the time it takes to heal. And according to a study from a team of scientists at Tokyo Metropolitan University, something in your food could be making the situation worse…

Joyce Hollman

Do negative calorie foods exist?

A lot of diet “hacks” are touting the value of “negative-calorie” foods as an easy way to boost weight loss. But can eating more of them really help on the scales or are you punishing yourself? Here’s the skinny on negative calories…

Carolyn Gretton

Three seconds to stronger muscles? It’s not as crazy as it sounds

Fitness experts have focused in recent years on exercise programs that pack a lot of benefit into a short amount of time. They may have beaten an all-time record: a technique that improves strength in just a few seconds a day and may be the easiest way to avoid the ravages of aging.

Joyce Hollman

Chew slow and savor to burn calories

Diet-induced thermogenesis refers to the increase in metabolic rate that follows the ingestion of food. Turns out you can kick it up to enhance the energy expenditure associated with the metabolism of the food you eat. In other words, you can burn energy while you eat. Does it get any better?

Carolyn Gretton

How heart disease can set you up for Alzheimer’s

If you have heart disease, your risks for other conditions are higher, including Alzheimer’s. That’s because circulation problems lead to brain dysfunction. The surprise is how early it harms the brain and how it can triple those telltale plaques directly associated with Alzheimer’s…

Joyce Hollman

Myopia epidemic: Why nearsightedness is on the rise

Experts are warning of an emerging ‘epidemic’ of myopia after observing sharp increases in the number of adult-onset cases of nearsightedness among late baby boomers. What gives and is there anything you can do about it?

Joyce Hollman

Amplify broccoli’s superpowers without having to eat it raw

Broccoli has established itself as a “superfood.” It contains a compound called sulforaphane with an amazing reputation. But you’ll need to eat your broccoli in a particular way so sulforaphane can do all the great things it has the potential to do for you — and believe me, it’s worth the extra trouble…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Boosting testosterone could help men ward off type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is considered the most preventable disease of all, yet blood sugar problems are at epidemic proportions. The question is, with rates skyrocketing, how do you avoid becoming another statistic? The key could lie in your hormones…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

One more reason to give up bottled water: Your gut

Microplastics have now invaded every corner of our planet, compromising our food supply and flooding our once pristine oceans. You may be concerned about their effects on the environment, but it’s your gut you really need to worry about…

Jonathan Sharp

Benzene: What to know and how to avoid tainted sunscreen

Benzene is an industrial chemical and a known human carcinogen. It would be natural to think it has no place in consumer products such as sunscreen. So you might be asking yourself how it made its way into these affected products and what you can do to protect yourself…

Carolyn Gretton

Can stress increase your odds of getting COVID-19?

Stress is associated with all kinds of health problems. Prolonged stress can raise your risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease, not to mention early death. Then, is it so far-fetched to think it contributes to your susceptibility to COVID-19?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why nuts are a breast cancer survivor’s best friend

Breast cancer isn’t just the most common cancer among women in the United States. It’s also the second leading cause of death. For survivors, recurrence is a nagging fear. But a new tool with significant clout takes that risk way down…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Understanding brown fat and its weight-loss advantage

At any given time in the United States, nearly half of us are trying to lose weight. And though the young and older among us are at it too, middle-aged adults edge out others as those persistently trying to lose a few pounds. Is it because during middle age it’s harder? Not if you take this weight loss advantage…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Even in Alzheimer’s, omega-3s may preserve memory function

There’s no shortage of advice on lifestyle factors, including diet and nutrition, to support healthy brain functions. But what about a brain that’s already in cognitive decline? Research shows there’s still much hope…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Diabetics with a high risk for heart problems are getting left behind

Blood sugar problems and heart problems go hand in hand. But many people are being left in the dark when it comes to treatment to help them avoid the danger. If you’re one of them, this is for you…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

4 ways to decrease binge-watching’s blood clot danger

One thing most of us can agree about when it comes to the pandemic is that we’re all binge-watching a lot more television. And that’s a big problem. In fact, it’s a big 35 percent risk increase for fatal blood clot. Here are four easy steps to bring it down…

Joyce Hollman

Why you shouldn’t wait to increase your vitamin D

When you think of vitamin D, you likely think about bone health. But during the pandemic, vitamin D has come to the forefront for another reason… one that proves adequate levels matter not only during infection but before you ever come face to face with the villain.

Dr. Mark Wiley

The tea that helps you drop pounds, cholesterol points and blood sugar levels

Pu-erh is in a category of its own because of its special post-fermentation process. It makes pu-erh at once unique in flavor but different in its chemical composition, thus lending itself to delivering potent healing properties documented in numerous published clinical studies. I think it’s tea time…

Carolyn Gretton

Want cancer protection? Magnesium levels matter

Magnesium is a critical mineral for hundreds of bodily processes. Now, researchers are exploring exactly how magnesium may help defend the body from cancer — and they’ve discovered it has to do with the immune system…

Joyce Hollman

Why the link between cataract surgery and decreased dementia?

What if lowering your dementia risk was as simple as improving your vision? Research shows that people who’ve undergone cataract surgery can lower their dementia risk by thirty percent. But what’s the connection and what can you do to help your eyes and your brain?

Carolyn Gretton

Hygge: The excuse you needed to cozy up for your well-being

There’s no question we’re living in chaotic times. And it’s sent our stress levels into the stratosphere. One remedy can be found in a concept practiced in Demark to bring comfort, peace and relaxation to our physical and mental environments — and our well-being…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

A nasal spray for dementia is heading to human clinical trials

Dementia is a health crisis that’s been laid at the feet of America’s rapidly growing aging population. But we may be on the cusp of something major: A strange combo for better brain health delivered via a nose spray…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

The Nordic diet: Fad or lifestyle?

The Nordic diet is based on the way people in Scandinavia have eaten for years. While the Nordic diet highlights more lingonberries and fewer olives, the premise is similar to the Mediterranean diet. Eating the Nordic way should add up to way less sugar than you’d get on a typical American diet, and that’s just one benefit…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The best exercise for a fatty liver

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease occurs when fat builds up in the liver. Yet, despite its serious dangers, there’s very little your doctor can do for you if you develop NAFLD. That’s why prevention focuses on lifestyle interventions, including the best exercise…

Carolyn Gretton

A surprising impact of meditation: Immune system activation

Meditation is almost magical when it comes to improving your well-being. And researchers have taken notice. In fact, one team recently measured the impact of meditation on the body’s genes and found it could be a powerful ally in boosting your immune defenses…

Joyce Hollman

Sleep better with the bedtime routine of a toddler

Many things conspire against us when it comes to sleeping well: a snoring partner, medications we’re taking or various medical conditions. But there are four pillars of a good bedtime routine that work whether you’re three or 43…

Joyce Hollman

7 benefits of positive self-talk (and how to shush the negative)

The reality is that we talk to ourselves all the time, and the messages we give ourselves have a profound impact on our health and well-being. Here’s how you can improve your “inner dialogue” and make it work for you.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Eating this way leads to fewer brain blood clots

Evidence continues to stack up that adding more plant-based foods to your diet is powerfully beneficial to your health. Skeptical? Check out these 7 steps to more plants and fewer blood clots…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The raisin-like snack that wards off vision loss

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss for people over 60. No known therapy has yet been shown to impact early stages of AMD. That’s why when it comes to keeping your vision, prevention is key — and this fruit is a must…

Carolyn Gretton

The supplement that could solve morning sickness

Few pregnancy symptoms are as challenging as morning sickness. No one really knows what causes it, which makes it tough to find an effective treatment. But researchers have zeroed in on some clues that could make the first trimester much more pleasant…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Improve blood pressure and ease sleep apnea in just 5 minutes a day

Blood pressure, especially systolic (the top number) naturally creeps up as arteries stiffen with age, raising the risk for heart attack, kidney damage, and even cognitive problems. But what if there was something easy that only took 5 minutes a day to bring it way down, without breaking a sweat?

Joyce Hollman

Did the ‘gold standard’ diabetes test that’s mostly wrong miss your diagnosis?

Headlines report that type 2 diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. What’s equally concerning is people with prediabetes who don’t know their risk. But even worse than that (and yes, it gets far worse), there are human timebombs among us who think they are just fine because their diabetes test was WRONG…

Joyce Hollman

8+ natural ways to avoid the diabetes-heart disease trap

Your body runs on hormones. They are the “chemical messengers” that make things happen, like controlling your body temperature, your moods, your sex drive, your sleep patterns, and your immunity against disease. Most people think of insulin as the hormone associated with diabetes. But that’s cutting it short…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The Chinese seed extract that can help fight superbug skin infections

Bacteria that live on your skin can also cause serious problems. They can put you at risk for painful, even dangerous, life-threatening infections from drug-resistant superbugs. Luckily, recommendations from a 16th-century text on Traditional Chinese Medicine may have the answer to fighting off skin pathogens…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The dangerous toxin that makes tap water safer than bottled water

Plastic water bottles make me think of chemicals leaching into every sip, even though most are supposedly BPA-free now. That might make some people feel better, but I hate to be the bearer of more bad news about America’s love affair with bottled water… If you’re drinking them, I’d have to ask you: what’s your poison?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Is taking care of a loved one damaging your health?

It’s become a fact of life that being a caregiver, whether it’s for an elderly parent or a spouse, takes a toll on your health, leading many people to fear becoming caregivers or to feel as if their health is doomed if it becomes necessary. But are the health dangers of caregiving real? The key to successful caregiving…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

What they left out of the latest cholesterol guidelines that you need to know

New cholesterol guidelines allow for a more “personalized” approach to drug therapy, which could allow some patients to reduce the number of drugs they are taking (a good thing), though some will end up on more (not so great). But what these experts left out underscores how badly they’re failing at helping people achieve optimal levels…

Joyce Hollman

When this superfood can be super bad for you

In recent years, a certain cruciferous vegetable has risen to the top of the pile as a superfood. It’s been hailed as one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. In other words, it’s got a ton of nutritional value but few calories. But there are two problems… one involves your thyroid, and the other is a scary cancer threat…

Jenny Smiechowski

How to get your body and mind back in balance after a Parkinson’s diagnosis

Getting the news you have Parkinson’s can be hard on your bearings. Even if things weren’t looking good and you expected the diagnosis. Because a progressive nervous system disorder affects movement, exercise is a good recommendation because it can help slow disease progression. But the right exercise carries even bigger benefits…

Jenny Smiechowski

The best thing about having migraines is you won’t get this disease

There are a lot of downsides to having migraines…They’re painful and nauseating. They prevent you from going to work and having fun with friends. They increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, depression and anxiety. But what if I told you there’s at least one upside…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The best time of day to burn more fat and boost metabolism

My husband is an early riser and likes to start his day with time on the treadmill. I’m barely able to get going in the morning hours and would rather workout in the afternoon. I’ve always told him, it doesn’t matter when you exercise, as long as you do. Unfortunately, a new study may have just proven me wrong…

Joyce Hollman

The surprising thing that could slow getting help after a stroke

During stroke, the right treatment can save a life and prevent permanent disability. But time is of the essence. The drugs that can break up those blood clots must be given within 4 ½ hours of a stroke. So you can see how seconds count. That’s why you need to know how the ‘wrong help’ could increase the danger…

Dr. Michael Cutler

7 ways the chemistry of positive emotions can make you well

Positive — or negative emotions — change your body chemistry. Think for a moment about this. How does it feel to communicate/show kindness, forgiveness, acceptance, or love?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

3 diagnostics you can do at home to beat this chronic disease syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that significantly increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke. While about a third of adults in the U.S. are estimated to be living with metabolic syndrome, many people don’t know they have it since many of the signs of the disorder are silent. Find out, right now…

Joyce Hollman

The surprising link between coffee and cannabis and your homeostasis

Coffee has been called “the world’s most common recreational drug,” and with good reason. Every morning, roughly 83 percent of American adults reach for a cup of java to jump-start their day. Are you one of them?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The bacteria in your mouth could be ruining your brain

The trouble all starts with a bacterium known as Porphyromonas gingivalis. When its numbers grow too large, your body’s immune system reacts, leading to inflammation, swelling, bleeding, and erosion of your gum tissue. Then, it can even travel from your mouth to your bloodstream, and to your brain….

Jenny Smiechowski

Bad food habits that’ll kill you faster than smoking

A new study found lousy eating kills 11 million people per year. That means 1 in 5 deaths is caused simply by eating the wrong foods. That’s more people than both smoking and high blood pressure kill. But what exactly qualifies as lousy? I’ll tell you, as well as the 3 dietary habits that contribute to more than half of these deaths!

Joyce Hollman

5 real energy sources without the serious downside of a ‘sugar rush’

It’s 2 p.m., and lunch hour is long gone. You’ve got a stack of work to complete, and you just can’t focus. A nap is sounding really good. So, you reach for something sweet to get some pep and energy. Hold on… Researchers recently exposed the truth about what sugar actually does to your mood and your ability to perform…

Joyce Hollman

Why obesity before 50 spells cancer

Researchers took a broad, long-term look at what the obesity epidemic is costing us: Millions of lives lost, and millions of years of healthy, vital living missed, because we carry too much weight. It’s synonymous with heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes. But the 13 cancers are most disturbing.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why magic mushroom ‘therapy’ may soon be legal

You’ve probably heard of “magic mushrooms.” Hallucinogenic trips are part of the mushroom’s reputation, but their health benefits have put them up front on the voting ballots in two states and could make them the next legalization trend, like cannabis. Here’s what you should know…

Jenny Smiechowski

At 47 or 87 your brain can make new cells (here’s how)

Your brain doesn’t create any new brain cells after it fully develops at age 25 or so? At least, that’s what you’ve been told most of your life. If you can’t make any more, your life is just one long descent toward cognitive decline. Well, that’s wrong and outdated.

Jenny Smiechowski

This immune-suppressing food additive makes fighting viruses harder

You may already have some tricks up your sleeve for avoiding flu this spring and beyond. Maybe you get the flu vaccine every year, take special herbs or pump yourself full of vitamin C. But whatever you do to keep yourself safe from the flu, I have a flu-fighting tip I guarantee you’ve never heard before…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Cardio risks rise when menopause steals muscle and replaces it with fat

Despite the fact that women everywhere have been saying for decades that menopause makes them gain weight, no link had been proven between the hormonal changes of menopause and changes in body composition… until now. But extra weight is the least of the reasons it should concern you…

Joyce Hollman

3 important factors for choosing sun protection against photoaging and cancer

What’s that warm sensation on my skin? Yes, the sun is already beating down in parts of the country and that means you need to be protected from skin cancer and the unsightly damage of photoaging. Choosing what’s safe and works best to keep your skin protected can be confusing. But you’ve come to the right place…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

5 ‘heart-healthy’ diet changes that can backfire

Cheeseburgers, sugary sodas, candy and deep-fried foods are bad for us. So, like most people you may have made heart-healthy diet changes you thought were for the better… like less red meat and more chicken… swapping butter for margarine… and generally cutting back on fat and sugar. But are those changes as healthy as you think?

Jenny Smiechowski

What untreated diabetes does to your brain

Do you know the scariest thing about type 2 diabetes? A lot of people have it and don’t realize it. The problem is, if you don’t know you have diabetes, you won’t do anything to treat it. And no good comes from unmanaged diabetes. It wreaks havoc on your body… especially vital organs like your brain.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

8+ ways an ingredient in beer can boost your health and fight cancer

If you drink beer, you should be familiar with hops, since the flower of the plant is used to make beer, including ales, lagers, and pilsners. Hops are best known for adding the flavor, color and bitterness, but for years experts have claimed hops aren’t just good for making beer, but good health, too. Hops may even fight cancer…

Joyce Hollman

Why time seems to move faster as we age, and how to slow it down

Remember the endless days of childhood? It seemed like so many things happened in a day! Now, as we get older, time goes faster and faster, and we’re not happy about it. Well, it turns out there’s a scientific explanation for this phenomenon, one that might show us how to feel like we’re getting more out of each day.

Dr. Michael Cutler

What to eat (and how to supplement) to ward off stroke

Stroke scares the heck out of just about anybody. But the right antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory nutrients can help reduce the development of cerebrovascular disease — which can lead to stroke. Find out how these foods, herbs and nutrients you can supplement can help push your stroke risk far away…

Jenny Smiechowski

How you could get a superbug from an unnecessary urine test

Peeing in a cup was once a routine part of getting a yearly physical. Doctors would test for traces of blood, protein or sugar, to check for hidden cases of diabetes or kidney disease. Some doctors still routinely check urine. If your’s does, it could pose an unexpected danger…

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